The Shaker Heights Housing competition called for proposals for new residential construction on vacant infill lots in an established neighborhood. The entrants were encouraged to rethink traditional typologies in order to act as a catalyst for additional redevelopment.

Our proposal was for a single-family, two-story home on a lot typical of the neighborhood. The scale of the structure was balanced to respect the street pattern and compliment the surrounding homes. The initial form was manipulated to take advantage of the prevailing climatic conditions and to suit modern needs including a live/work lifestyle. A flexible office or studio space is easily accessible to visitors and the living quarters while maintaining privacy from the rest of the home. By locating the garage closer to the front of the lot, the length of the driveway is reduced allowing for a larger lawn and garden. The front facade maintains a lively connection to the street with the placement of the office/studio and additionally with the second floor sundeck. Solar and wind analysis determined the positioning of indoor and outdoor living spaces. The second floor of the home is a linear volume including clerestory windows with Southern exposure maximizing natural light and solar heat gain during winter months. High-performing building materials and systems have been selected that balance results with first cost. By choosing to not include a basement, the associated cost savings is used to offset the enhanced sustainable features that have longer payback periods. These features improve the quality of life for the owners and make the home a good neighbor and compelling precedent for future residential construction in the city.